Pears keen to keep Kabir

Worcestershire are determined to keep Kabir Ali after Hampshire missed a deadline to sign him.

Last Updated: 01/10/09 7:02pm

Worcestershire reaffirmed their determination to keep hold of seam bowler Kabir Ali after reaching the deadline for interested counties to agree a compensation package for his services.

Kabir, 28, had agreed terms on a three-year deal with Hampshire but the move was subject to the payment of the £60,000 Worcestershire wanted for the final year of his contract.

Hampshire failed to reach agreement with Worcestershire by the deadline of September 30.

"The board granted Kabir's wish to talk to other counties up to September 30, even though he has one more year remaining on his contract," said Worcestershire chief executive Mark Newton.

"If Kabir then expressed a wish to move to another county, he would be released from his contract upon receipt of a compensation fee of £60,000.

"Kabir and his adviser, Roger Newman, have informed us that he would like to move to another county but no compensation fee or offer has been forthcoming so Kabir remains in contract and permission to talk to other counties is no longer in place.

Prized

"We do not want to lose Kabir as he is one of the finest seam bowlers in the country and has been with the club for 10 years.

"He is one of our prized players and we need him to spearhead our attack next season.

"Kabir has already told us that if he remained with the club, he would give 100 percent next season and we know that he will.

"He wants nothing more than to be out in the middle, as it is only out there he can regain his England place, which is his and the club's prime motivation.

"That is the current position as far as the club is concerned, although all lines of communication remain open."